the difference between "este" y "esto" (both mean THIS) is that the word "este" is used accompanied by an objet or feeling. Example: "ESTE hombre" (this man), "ESTE sentimiento" (this feeling), when the gender is femenine you must use "esta", like in "ESTA mujer" (this woman); "ESTA casa" (this house). Also "este" is used to indicate something you know and that's near you, so that you can see and touch. Example: "¿qué auto te gusta? - Me gusta ESTE" (What car do you like? - I like this one). In the other hand, the word "esto" is used as a noun and replaces the name of an object or situation or any other subject. Example: "No me gusta ESTO" (I don't like this); ¿Por qué haces ESTO? (Why are you doing this?). Also is used to show or explain something. Example: "ESTO es un tren" (This is a train); "ESTA es una niña" (This is a girl). And finally if use the word "éste" with stress in the first E, it becomes a noun that replaces a subject (in english is like IT). Example: "No quiero ir al estadio. ËSTE está muy lejos" (I don't want to go to the stadium. IT is too far). I hope this explanation clarifies your question. If you want to know some more, please contact me, msn: [email protected]

The answer given by Jorge Ivan is very accurate. One more thing, in some phrases the word "este" can be interpreted with both senses and ONLY when that happens you are "allowed" to use the stress in the first E. To avoid confussion. By the way, the question should be ¿CUÁL es la diferencia ENTRE "este" y "esto"? I hope it may help you

este, is most specific i.e. "este perro" . "cual es este color ? " and esto is anything that u dont know i.e. " que es esto ? " for example a situation, device, ... we can speak, my msn is [email protected]

I agree with everyone else, but I think there is another difference with the two words (and maybe someone already mentioned this) "Este" is a demonstrative adjective (adjetivo demonstrativo), because it describes a noun. Este libro...This book. On the other hand, the word "éste" with the accent is a pronoun, because it takes the place of the noun. For example, Me gusta este libro, pero no me gusta ÉSTE. The same goes for femenine words. Esta - Demonstrative adjective; Ésta - pronoun Me gusta esta copa, pero ésta es fea. You use "esto" when you're referring to something that has no gender...it's called a Demonstrative pronoun (neuter form). You use it when you're talking about something that is just an idea that really doesn't have a masculine or femenine word to put to it. For example, "Esto no es normal" (This isn't normal...the word this is neuter because you don't know for sure what "isn't normal") Neuter forms are: Esto - This Eso - That Aquello - That (not exactly sure the difference between this and "eso" is...sorry i'm not a native speaker just an eager spanish student!) I hope that makes sense to you...if not message me and I can try and give you better examples. Suerte!

este señor me dijo que era medico este es mi cuaderno ( cuando lo tengo en la mano) esto no es asi esto podria ser asi este (personas y cosas) esto (cosas u situaciones)